The musings of one Andrew Langer - defender of liberty, passionate protector of individual rights, foodie.
(Note: Said Musings of Andrew Langer are his own, and the views represented herein are likewise his views, and not the views of any other people, entities, foodstuffs, etc [unless otherwise specifically and explicitly noted].)

Wednesday, November 02, 2005

The Kelo Paradox - Coming to Vegas...

OK, so I've got most of a post on the Eurpoean Union drafted, but I want to tweak it a bit. Unfortunately, I'm off to Vegas tomorrow for the Reason Public Policy Institute's Dynamic Cities Conference (ok, not so unfortunately... I love Vegas). I'm sitting on the Kelo panel, to give my speech, "The Kelo Paradox". I may post the EU thing tomorrow.

Many city planners have built new downtown shopping districts, massive convention centers, and sports stadiums. Do these projects benefit residents? Or do developers, team owners, and the planning establishment have the most to gain? Is Las Vegas unique when it comes to convention center success?

8:35-9:10 A.M.“Command and Control: What happens when urban planners and meddlers ignore what people want and stifle innovation?”

From banning Wal-Mart to offering tax incentives for “desirable” businesses to mandating affordable housing, policymakers often think they know what’s best for residents. Do inclusionary zoning, Smart Growth, Enterprise Zones, and other such gimmicks work? Also, what happens when a city—like Sandy Springs, Georgia—decides to privatize most of its services?

9:10-9:25 A.M. BREAK

9:25-10:10 A.M.“What Americans really think about government, and why we should beafraid”

Dr. Frank Luntz, CEO, Luntz, Maslansky Strategic Research

Do Americans care about limited government? What do they tell politicians to promise and to do in return for votes? A renowned public opinion research expert tells us what America thinks.

10:10-10:25 A.M. BREAK

10:25-11:10 A.M.“The Evolution and Economics of Gaming in Las Vegas…and throughout America”

Traffic congestion is a huge problem for urban dwellers. But many governments are planning for congestion, not to relieve it, and past attempts to solve the problem, like new light rail lines, have failed. How can mobility be improved through innovations like HOT lanes, virtual busways, and toll truckways?

12:00–1:15 P.M. Lunch Bermuda, The Mirage“The City: The evolution of cities and meaning of urban life”

Joel Kotkin, Irvine Senior Fellow, New America Foundation

From ancient Mesopotamia to post-9/11 New York City and post-Katrina New Orleans, we will look at commerce, security and power in the city and the “sacredness” of urban space. Joel Kotkin is an internationally-recognized authority on global, economic, political and social trends, and the author of The City: A Global History.

1:15-2:10 P.M. Grand Ballroom C/D/E, The Mirage“Kelo Backlash: Public and political reaction to a devastating Supreme Court decision on property rights”

The Supreme Court’s broad interpretation of the government’s power of eminent domain has shocked people across the political spectrum. Our panelists will look at the landmark Kelo case, post-Kelo efforts to rein in government power, how eminent domain abusers undermine their own policy objectives, and the latest developments in a plan to seize a Supreme Court justice’s home to build a hotel.

2:15-3:00 P.M.“Who’s Winning the War on Pleasure? The crackdown on drinking, food, smoking, entertainment, and sex”

The battle has been joined against the pleasures of sex, tobacco, alcohol, and junkfood. On which side does science fight? Is Las Vegas succumbing to this war? What are your prospects for enjoying life in the nanny state?

How free is Sin City? Is life in Las Vegas good for business, good for consumers, good for workers, good for families?

4:00-4:30 P.M.“Prague’s Dazzling Diversity: How Europe’s urban jewel is threatened most by its ‘protectors.’”

Matt Welch, Associate Editor, Reason

Over the centuries, Prague has absorbed and reflected cultural changes. There is a movement afoot to put a stop to that. Matt Welch co-founded the first independent English-language newspaper in post-communist Central Europe, Prognosis, in Prague, Czechoslovakia.

4:40-5:00 P.M.“Dancing on the Edge: Extreme art, its popular appeal, and freedom”

John Stagliano, director, writer, and producer

The popularity of TV shows like “Fear Factor” exemplifies how mainstream entertainment has been inevitably drawn to the real and the extreme. This is an extension of the trend that John Stagliano pioneered in the adult film business. Why is there such a large market for reality and the extreme? Why is liberty an important part of the mix?

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About Me

For me, it's always been about protecting rights. Probably because my parents spent so much time taking us to places where the rights of Man were fought so long and hard for.
I was going to fight the Soviet Bear, until it up and decided to collapse on its own weight one year. My career took a turn, and all of those lessons my parents taught me about environmental science, public health, and policy coalesced when I became the reader for a blind lawyer.
I spend my days dealing with regulation, which is more fun than it sounds. I'm an activist, and deeply involved in politics (at both the national and local levels).
And I'm passionate about all I do.